Aircraft
EADS and Alenia To Cooperate On UAS Development
EADS has struggled to launch development of the Talarion MALE, but a new agreement to cooperate with Alenia may advance the cause (Photo: EADS)
EADS has struggled to launch development of the Talarion MALE, but a new agreement to cooperate with Alenia may advance the cause (Photo: EADS)

EADS Cassidian and Alenia Aeronautica signed an MoU to explore cooperation on the next generation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This is the latest maneuver within a European aerospace industry that is united in the desire to develop UAS capabilities, but divided by national and programmatic considerations. In particular, EADS has been frustrated by the failure of the French, German and Spanish governments to fund development of the Talarion medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) system, after paying for an initial study.